Pope Leo XIV appeared on the loggia of St Peter’s Basilica on Sunday May, 11.
Addressing the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square and the world the Pope cried for peace of his predecessor, Pope Francis.
“In today’s dramatic context of a third world war fought piecemeal … I too appeal to the powerful of the world by repeating these ever-relevant words: never again war!”
Ukraine and Gaza
the Pope cried for peace in Ukraine and Gaza strip.
He recalled, first, “the immense tragedy of the Second World War”, which came to an end 80 years ago, on 8 May, “after causing 60 million deaths,”
Pope Leo then turned to the modern wars plaguing the world today.
“I carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people. I urge every effort be made to reach a true, just and lasting peace as soon as possible,” he said.
He urged the authorities to free all the prisoners and return all the detained children to their families.
“May all prisoners be freed, and may the children be returned to their families,” he cried out.
He then turned to the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip.
“I am deeply pained by what is happening. Let the fighting cease immediately, let humanitarian aid be provided to the exhausted civilian population, and may all hostages be released,” stated Pope Leo X1V.
With a sense of hope, Pope Leo XIV welcomed the recent announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
“I hope that, through the upcoming negotiations, a lasting agreement may soon be reached. How many other conflicts are there in the world or we should witness?” he posed Pope X1V.
[More reports by Francesca Merlo in Vatican].
